New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-19
SUPPLEMENT-.
OCTOBER 10, 1887.
TELEGRAPH CHANGES.
A TALK WITH EX-PRESIDENT BATES

HE EXPECTS AN INCREASE IN THE WESTERN
UNION SCHEDULE.
FX-Presilent d. H. Bates. OF the Baltimore and Ohio
Telegraph Company. remarked yesterday that the pub
Iished about the mileage earnings and traffic
the company did not tell whole story lie said
" For Instance whilo the mileage owned oy the Bat
more and OHIO Company was $1,000 miles Of wire. the
capacity Of that mileage larger than the actual ng
shown, because OF the fact that the mileage
sisted OF larger proportion OF copper wire aud large
gauge iron wire, than the with competing
company previously absorbed by the Western Union.
there being 5000 miles OF copper wire and $4,000
miles OF No gauge iron the copper and No. 6 gauge
iron wire mainly used for quadrupex circuits tho
use of the quadrupcx having given the Ba tmore and
Ohio Company $4,000 additional miles OF what is knowD
as phantom wire The mileage of the Baltimore ana
Ohio Company being largely between the large trade
centres + was feasible to quadruplex much larger
proportion the than is the even with the
Western Union The Baltimore and ONO owned nearly
seventy pasnts tue quadruplex and printing tele-
graphs, which of great value to an independent
system which will b. OF greater value to the
Western Union Company filling in Important Inks IN
Western Union patents"
mfr Bates. it true that your company was operated
at a large loss to the Baltimore ana Ohio Railroad Com
pany previously been stated by the Western Union
officials e.
40 sir" Mr. Bates emphatically replied. "On the
contrary the Baltimore and Ohio Telegraph Company
for two years and half until April, not only paid
its of receipts. but had small balance re-
naming having paid the Baltimore aud ONO Rail
road Com pany the rats of nearly $OoOOo per an-
mum for OF wires and Offices on the Baltimore anu
Ohio roads, and for the district cabox plants in the
various cities within the limits OF tho Baltimore and
Ohio system. besides paying for all srumens battery
and other telegraph supplies for the entire railroad
train service"
"Then it Is not true that the Baltimore and Ohio
telegraph drain upon the Baltimore ana QUO
Railroad Company
NO. not for operating expenses and not at all except
to the extent OF about SiO0000O stated In the rail-
road company's reports, which amount was expended
account for the contribution or Batl more ana
contemplated by Mr. Garrett Of course now
been more than repaid In the price oDtained u,r
do you think then, Mr.. Bates. that the western
Union Company has obtained barsaini
Nes indeed they havesecured the largest and great
capabc OF handhns l., 100000 OF kilograms per an
mum. price less than one-qiarter the cost u
the Western Union Company OF the American 1hioh
property 1851. allowing for the difference III mileage
"Do You expect that the Western Union Company will
do moi know ANYTHING definite. but is probable
the Western Union will increase the l0cent rates winch
may hardly he said be profitable. ana the puhc GER
a,nly could not mud flult with slight where
what do YOU think Will the effect the business
OF the Western Union Company by the aDsorptoh vi the
lit will have an Immediate and important effect In in
crrasng their gross traffic and to greater KENT tuer
net earning believe Western Union viii retain
over II millions dollars OF the Baltimore ana ONO
revenue .ch they handle for not more than haL
"A million allowing for an increase IN the present
very low rates while slight and Judiclous increase,
where the public above exclaimed. would not feel inc
change would yield another million not on the present
volume OF traffic. ,,,-.
What was the extent of your district cabox ser
vice" IL,
"Well. the district service was necessary anu Nai-
able auxiliary the company ana Included @OpoO cdii,
boxes all OF which connected with the ohces ana
houses free OF charge. and thls eNtehsNa
ramncatiOn enabled the Baltimore and ONO company "
collect Ol business which Otherwise Wouii
doubtless have gone to it. rivals
" Dld the district service pay!'
"Yes. IL than paid expenses aha lett pdsnce VI
pro after allowing for the district plant Iehla I" tho
! Baltimore aud Ohio Railroad Company above reiertei
to- e..
| Western | uiOn mas cOntrOlf -. -. ~,
do NOT know, but presume the western bhioH ou'
many vii ufll1r where there are dupctts
boxe, in circuit In which OF course but one vi" De
| necessary. .,,,
Al tho Western Union offices it YESTERDAY mat
no flr her changes had been made Tue disposition Oh
the officers OF the Baltimore and ohio Telegraph Com.
pany. who under contract. had not Oeeh ueoiuei
! upon. ,.... -, ola.
! company which effectively opposed us. 4 prominent
officer Of The Western Union Company said anu htVo
doubt mat President Bates ami other officers whose con-
tract. have not yet expired will he given positions "or
INV OF their rauk opposition company 20 fdr a.
know there intention to degrade the Officers OF tue
Baltimore and Onto Telegraph VINO are now Ia iac' our
lIf